Just one more reason Chicago is the greatest city on Earth-The Cheese Burger Show

Excellent footage.Thanks Buddy!

BuddyRoadhouse


buffetbuster,
Once CTD licks his current situation he will be able to withstand anything!  Sox fans will bounce off of him like bullets bounce off of Superman!

smokestack lightning,
Certainly been to Beinlich's, never even heard of Harry's Grill in Deerfield.  Any specifics you can share?  Address and other vital information?  Favorite thing on the menu?  Past, personal experiences there?

Buddy

Hi Buddy,

Looking forward to meeting you and enjoying some Chicago Roadfood next time I am back in Chicago visiting my family who still live in Highland Park. I grew up in Deerfield. Harry's Grill was the perfect Roadfood hamburger joint in Deerfield when i was a kid. People still talk about the old Harrys and the New Harrys ( the old one was on Deerfield Road just east of Wauegan Road and the new one ( probably new in the 1970s!) was on Waukegan around the corner. Very local burger joint atmosphere. Ground own beef, hand made burgers, great fries, served RC cola rather than Coke or Pepsi. Open for good breakfasts and lunches and then closed early so the proprietor, Harry Pittner, could go to the race track. Years later I learned that their secret ingredient was to include a little malt powder in the beef as they made patties, Not sure why. But loved those burgers and that place. Wonder if anyone else remenbers Harrys Grill?

smokestack,
Gimme a call next time your visiting.  If Harry's is still around, I'll join you for a burger.  After all, a guy named after my favorite Barbecue book (Smokestack Lightning, by Lolis Eric Elie) can't be all bad.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse


smokestack,
Gimme a call next time your visiting.  If Harry's is still around, I'll join you for a burger.  After all, a guy named after my favorite Barbecue book (Smokestack Lightning, by Lolis Eric Elie) can't be all bad.

Buddy

Hey Buddy, Thanks for the gracious reply and offer. And I will give you a call next time I am around and I am sure we can explore some interesting Roadfood. Its been fascinating reading about food in Chicago that I was unaware of either due to area or era. Unfortunately Harry's is only a memory although I heard a rumor about some new rebirth so I will check.

Take care,

Josh

Just got around to actually watching this week's episode, and apparently, the content of the show doesn't always necessarily match up with the print version in the newspaper.  Case in point, while the print article features David Burke's Prime House and Capital Grille, the video version goes to Burke's and, my neighborhood favorite, Paradise Pup.  In addition, for anyone who has ever heard about the notorious late night service at The Wiener's Circle, but has never actually experienced it, the opening of this week's show is a safe, voyeuristic visit, bleeped and edited to be family friendly.

Enjoy,

Buddy

Its a fun show.Thats all it is intended to be.I enjoy it.If one wants to see a serious food review, read the New York Times. Cant touch those restaurants with any money I make.

"As for Kevin Pang's baiting the server at The Wiener's Circle, heck yeah, he was!  That's the point.  The whole thing is done with a sense of humor. "
 
I've been told I have a Great Sense of Humor. I didn't think it was funny or even close to funny. Must be a MidWest Cabin Fever Thing. That's why they make Fords & Chevy's I guess. This nonsense hasn't been worth all the hassle. I'm erasing my comments.  

Now available: Episode Three of the Cheese Burger Show!  Kevin is joined by Chicago Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper in comparing four different burgers from the Rush Street neighborhood (otherwise known as The Viagra Triangle).  Not the strongest offering of the show so far, but worth watching if you're not from around here and plan on visiting any time soon.  Rush Street is a very popular tourist area, so you might as well know where to get a good Cheese Burger.

Today's print version of the show, in the Tribune, visits Epic Burger, just south of The Loop, and proving me wrong about not visiting any chain restaurants, Bennigan's (yes, there are still a few Bennigan's around).  If it's any consolation, he totally panned the Bennigan's burger (Guinness glazed bacon cheeseburger), saying the glaze "tasted like alcoholic hoisin sauce...mask(ing) a rubbery beef patty that tasted as if it had come in bulk from the Costco freezer."

The Epic Burger fared better and seems like it might be worth trying if I'm ever in the south Loop and looking for a Cheese Burger.

Buddy

I enjoyed episode 3.Thanks Buddy.

I saw this place featured on Diners Drive ins and Dives a few weeks ago. www.kumas-corner.com Has anyone eaten here or heard anything? My wife and I will be in Chicago in August and the burgers looked pretty good, but they got mixed reviews on menupages.

Dave

While checking out the Tribune to find the missing show, I came across this video on Byron's. 
GQ's favorite fries in all America!

Here's a link for the Cheeseburger Show.
CLTV

 

DPuro329
I saw this place featured on Diners Drive ins and Dives a few weeks ago. www.kumas-corner.com Has anyone eaten here or heard anything? My wife and I will be in Chicago in August and the burgers looked pretty good, but they got mixed reviews on menupages.

Dave

Kuma's Corner makes a damn fine burger.  Period.  Beyond that there are several considerations to take into account.

1. Kuma's has been the subject of a LOT of publicity in recent months, causing them to be extremely crowded almost from the minute they open their doors for lunch.  It is a very small operation with a very small kitchen.  During their peak hours, waits of up to 2-3 hours are not uncommon.

2. Their theme is Heavy Metal Rock and Roll.  They have it playing all the time at a very high volume.  Nothing wrong with Heavy Metal per se, escpecially if you're a fan.  But, if you're planning on having a conversation while dining at Kuma's, you can pretty much kiss that notion goodbye.

3. The other part of issue number one (small place, lots of customers) is that they only have tables for four.  If you come in with a large group (six or more) they will not be able to accommodate you without splitting your party into two tables.  They will maybe seat five people at one table but that is their limit.  And they don't want you messing around with their tables either, putting two together to fit a bigger group.  Big groups=two tables or hit the road, Jack.

4.  They're not bashful about their pricing.  The least expensive burger on the menu, I believe, is ten bucks.  Admittedly, you're getting a top notch burger for your money.  They have very creative combinations made with high quality ingredients, but that still seems like a lot of money to me.  Also, they frown on you making special requests.  The way the burger is listed on the menu is the way they want to serve it.  No substitutions, no exceptions.

For lots more commentary, both positive and negative check out this LTHForum thread.  LTHForum, BTW, is an excellent source for finding the best in dining possibilities in Chicago

Have a great trip,

Buddy

Thanks Buddy,
We're not going until August so hopefully things will calm down a but but I wouldn't mind waiting a bit for a really good burger.

Dave

Buddy - I just saw this..It's terrific.  THANK YOU!  I like Kevin Pang..Funny guy.

You do have a terrific town!!

Episode 4 of The Cheese Burger Show focuses on how to make your own great Burger at home.  Kevin Pang visits with Gary Wivviot, one of the founding members of LTHForum, and author of a new book on DIY Barbecue called "Low and Slow".  Gary and I don't always see eye to eye on matters of fire, smoke, and meat, but I have to admit that he has some good tips for grilling your own Burgers.  The second half of the show features chef Graham Elliot Bowles creating his ultimate fantasy burger in the kitchen of his north side restaurant.

At the end of the regular video there is a bonus video of an uncensored, unedited hidden camera recording of the late night crowd at The Wiener's Circle.  I haven't watched that part of the video yet, but I have been to TWC in the wee hours, and I can tell you it is not for the sensitive or the faint of heart.  Watch that part of the video at your own risk.

Today's print version of The Cheese Burger Show, in the Tribune, reviews a couple of south side fixtures, Schoop's, based out of northwest Indiana, and Phil's Kastle Hamburgers on 95th Street in the city.  Schoops makes a Steak N Shake/Winstead's style burger; starting with a meat ball that gets smooshed down on the grill creating a crispy, lacy deep brown, flavorful edge.  The burgers are bigger than anything served at either SNS or Winstead's, and frankly a little tastier either one (sorry to all my friends in Kansas City, I love Winstead's and it pains me to say it, but it's true).

I haven't been to Phil's, but based on the review, I'm tempted.  Maybe if our southside representative, nocarolina will join me, I might make the trek.

Buddy

Schoop's
14 locations in NW Indiana
4 locations in NE Illinois

Phil's Kastle Hamburgers
3532 E. 95th Street
Chicago  IL
(773) 734-9591

Buddy, I love a good hamburger, although I'm not big on cheeseburgers. As far as Phil's is concerned, I'm game if you are. Just let me know when we're going ( I've got nothing else to do; I just sit around and watch SpongeBob all day!! )     

No current plans to make the drive down south, but, ya never know.  Rest assured I will contact you if I'm going to be down that way.

Say, isn't Top Notch Burger also on 95th Street?  Maybe a mini-tour of 95th Street's best Burgers is in order...

Buddy

It occurs to me that I have been remiss in  my duties as Keeper of the Cheese Burger Show Flame.  Episode Five has been out for a whole 4 days and I'm just now getting around to posting the link.

This week's edition is an all request show featuring  Cheese Burgers ranging from the down and dirty, yet very enticing Double Chop Steak with Gyro Meat at 2 Plus on Chicago's south side, to the more mainstream crispy edged Burgers at Schoop's in northwest Indiana, finally winding up with Sweets and Savories super high end kobe beef Burger, covered in foie gras, sitting on a bed of arugula, with a side of bleu cheese and squirt of truffle oil.

Bon Apetit,

Buddy

Episode Six  of The Cheese Burger Show starts off with Kevin Pang getting plastered at last weekend's National Restaurant  Association show.  After that he moves on to two high end burgers, one at Hot Chocolate, the other at Sola.  I know they're trying to break things up, but I hope future shows don't focus so much on the expensive Burgers.  There are so many excellent, reasonably priced "everyman" burgers out there, there's really no reason to show all these white table cloth versions.

Still it 's a fun show to watch, so enjoy.

Buddy

Im surprised no one had mentioned "Bill's" in Evanston - a 50+ year old burger stand - Burgers and Fries - (and maybe a hot dog here and there)   Still cheap and good food.

If you're talking about Bill's near the corner of Asbury and Howard Street, I think most people think of that place as more a Hot Dog joint, rather than a great Hamburger place.  I'm not saying you're wrong; one of my favorite burgers in town used to come from Flukey's, another north side Hot Dog icon.  I just don't think folks immediately associate Bill's with Burgers.

Who knows though, when the show resumes production later this summer, they may get over to Bill's

Buddy

A new season of The Cheeseburger Show starts today.  Episode 7 features visits to three suburban spots including the new Northbrook location of Wolfy's, and a high end joint that Kevin Pang claims makes a better burger than Kuma's Corner, Chicago's current reigning champion among Cheeseburger aficionados.

Have fun, but don't drool on your keyboard,

Buddy